Paul Kenna and Cousin, ca. 1949
J.P. (Paul) Kenna was born in industrial Northeast New Jersey but has lived most of his adult life in the rainy country of Northwest Washington state. With a freshly minted degree in history (University of Maine, 1967), he found himself in Kodiak, Alaska, after enlisting in the Coast Guard. Being discharged in Seattle in 1970 at the height of yet another Boeing recession, Kenna gravitated into blue collar jobs, not always by choice. These were interspersed with periods of self-employment, and sometimes unemployment.
Jobs have included commercial salmon fishing in Southeast Alaska; tugboat crewman on Puget Sound; steamboat fireman; engine room oiler on the Washington State Ferries; farmer and farm laborer; steam locomotive fireman; owning and operating 70-foot salmon tender; rural mail carrier; railroad contractor; 10 years in track department for BNSF Railway and, most recently, school bus driver–along with writing a historical novel series.
Daughters Amy and Ellen Kenna, springtime on the farm, near Acme, WA. 1987
Used copies of Cinders Over The Junction and Beyond The Divide Books 1 and 2 of an Irish-American series of a New Jersey family set in the late 19th century are still listed as available on Amazon. My plan is to re-publish and expand the series after making revisions (writing is largely learning by doing!) The bottom photo displays a copy of Beyond The Divide at the Mt. Vernon (Washington) Public Library, summer 2013.
Since 2015 I’ve been writing manuscripts, all related to my initial series, but in more variety of genres–including historical, literary, coming of age, romance, and suspense. Real life doesn’t lend itself so easily to distinct categories, and I’m not certain why fiction should either.
Joel Emmanuel, is now available in paperback for $14.99, Seaport Books (La Conner, WA). And from Amazon, Also available from Amazon Kindle for $2.99.
Mark Flanders, Paul Kenna, White Miller. Railroad spur construction, Bellingham, WA. August 1992
J.P. Kenna 
Very interesting blog. I think I will park here from time to time to do some reading. And from what I’ve read so far, I won’t be disappointed. 🙂
And likewise I’m sure. Thank you so much.
🙂
Congratulations; I am awarding you the Liebster Award for strong, relatively new blogs. I received one, and I chose you as one of the five new(er) bloggers to whom I bestow it. For the ribbon, which you can cut and paste to your site if you wish, and the rules associated with the use of that ribbon, go to this URL: http://wordingwell.com/the-liebster-award-the-official-rules-my-first-blog-award-and-a-few-personal-secrets-revealed/
Thanks for creating an excellent blog!
Thank you so very much. I shall go and check out the site…and the ribbon!
Thanks for visiting me at my blog and leading me back to yours. I’ll look forward to following.
Thank you. I fear I’ve been lax lately in both reading and posting blogs. This social media stuff can be so time consuming.
I’m looking forward to more of your posts.
What a fascinating, varied bio. Not a bit of wonder you’re a writer.
How kind of you to say that! I do enjoy writing. It’s self promotion I’m lousy at. This can lead to disappointment and frustration. Then there’s always alcohol, that time-honored writers’ solace.
Good stuff JP. As a fellow Americana writer, I’ve checked ‘following’ on your blog and can read all of your hard work. Will check out the books as well.
Charlie MV
“Americana writer.” I like that! Thank you so much for visiting my page. I look forward to checking out your work.
thanks JP- same here!
Paul, it’s your cousin Nancy from Rahway! I just learned yesterday during a walking tour of Rahway that you were a writer! Alex Shipley the town historian told me! Mentioned the Cinders book. I’m very anxious to read it. He noted it in regards to the Kenna home on Leeseville Ave. regards to Vicki.
Dear Cousin Nancy,
What a pleasant surprise to hear from you! I hope all is well with you, and family. Including younger relatives I’ve never met.
The picture you sent me a couple of years ago of my father taken around 1962 graces our windowsill. It looks like it was taken in the kitchen “downhome,” Leesville Ave. I know you remember Joe well.
Are you still at the Race St. address? I’ll send a more recent copy of Cinders there , along with a sequel. There may be a copy in the library, but I think my writing has much improved since that first effort. When I mail you, I can include my most recent work, Joel Emmanuel, if you’d like. Do you have my email address? ssmpc45jpk@comcast.net.
I’m not much for using Facebook, but it would be great to exchange emails with you. Victoria would also love to.
If you’d like, check out my recent weblogs.
Fact is, I love writing but–being an Irish introvert–hate self-promotion!
All regards, and love to you and family,
Paul
Hi, just wanted to say I enjoy your musings–the ones I read in the Cascadia Daily. You have a great–and consistent–writing voice. A good balance of nostalgia, history, a mildly cantankerous curmudgeonly bent. I’ll have to check out one of your books. Is one of them centered on Whatcom County/Bellingham? Pete
Thanks, Pete, for your kind words! I gather you’re a regular reader of the Cascadia Daily News. I’ve been a fan of editor Ron Judd’s commentary since discovering his column “the Wrap” in the Seattle Times, some years ago. Also enjoy Elliott Almond’s writings in both the CDN and the Sea. Times PNW Magazine.
My book, Joel Emmanuel, takes place mostly in the lower Skagit Valley, with some action in Whatcom adjacent to the Lummi Reservation. The story takes place 1978-80. Last I knew, there were still copies of the book available at Village Books, Fairhaven. Just received a check (always most welcomed mail!) for a sale a couple of weeks ago, so need to recheck the shelves up in the fiction section on the upper floor. Also available at Seaport Books in La Conner. And Amazon. Thanks again for writing!
Kind Regards,
Paul Kenna